Volkswagen, or the successful electric bet with its ID.R

Many motorsport fans had a knee-jerk reaction upon discovering the new challenge unveiled by Volkswagen Motorsport near Alès in the spring of 2018. Jack-of-all-trades Romain Dumas was requisitioned for an adventure aboard a prototype with a refined, the Volkswagen ID.R, based on Norma chassis. 

Where the problem lies, according to purists, is the technical sheet: two electric motors, delivering 500 kW! No noise that could make your eardrums ring! No “noble” block therefore, but it is an obligation for a manufacturer singled out for its rigged software on diesel vehicles at the end of 2016.

Since this cataclysm, the VAG group's brands can no longer afford to communicate using traditional technologies. The successive withdrawal of Audi then Porsche in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), Volkswagen in the World Rally Championship (WRC) attested to this. Moreover, Volkswagen also withdrew its participation in the World Championship of rallycross (World RX) precisely because the discipline was slow to convert to electric at the end of 2018.

To get back into driving, Volkswagen is heading towards electric, without forgetting motorsport fans. Since traditional disciplines are reluctant to transform, the German firm is taking the lead. Which competition is the most permissive in terms of regulations? The hill climb. Pikes Peak even has an “Unlimited” category, that’s saying something! 

This is where Volkswagen’s good pick lies. Under the leadership of engineer François-Xavier Demaison, the ID.R promotes electricity through performance. Far from the cliché of a plane-plane and soulless technology, the ID.R can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 2”25 in Pikes Peak configuration. 

The ID. R is not a car like any other. The most radical will be saddened, because yes, there is no roar of a V8. But as long as the mourning of a sound engine is realized, you risk being admired. This is not a personal judgment, but an observation observed from the stands of the Festival of Speed ​​in Goodwood (Great Britain).

In 2018, then in 2019, the ID.R was at the top of the bill, beating the record set by Nick Heidfeld aboard the McLaren-Mercedes MP4/13 in 1999 of 1''7 in just 1,86 km. In terms of performance, the success is indisputable, with a significant progression in the space of 12 months of more than three seconds! 

Another record hill climb? 39.9 seconds?! EXTRAORDINARY. #FOS pic.twitter.com/XtO3PdaFjf

- Goodwood FOS (@fosgoodwood) July 6, 2019

British spectators have the reputation of being the most “hardcore” on the motoring planet. You can imagine, arriving with an electric prototype in the lair of Goodwood, a mecca for the celebration of legendary vehicles (F1, Rally, Endurance, etc), this can make a mess. However, the negative criticism of Volkswagen was practically inaudible in the paddocks. 

The record set on Saturday July 6 during testing could have made the spectators frown. An electric car dares to beat an F1 with a V10 engine? Sacrilege in the Duke of Richmond's estate? Nay! Around thirty people of all ages even went near the Volkswagen structure in order to applaud the Alésien. In short, no VIPs kindly invited to make up the number, but many enthusiasts who appreciated the performance.

The final test of truth was the Shootout, the actual hill climb of the Festival. Throughout the passages, the crowd came alive, frankly applauding the all-out attack of young Oliver Solberg on a Citroën DS3 RX (good thermal). But the cleanliness of Romain Dumas' run made the public react just as much. 

In summary, the logical reservation implied by the arrival of electric power was swept away by the spectacular demonstration of Volkswagen's Motorsport service. However, to appreciate electric technology, one must have the opportunity to take a trip to a Volkswagen ID.R playground. 

This is the big obstacle to this program. In two years, public outings have become rare: Pikes Peak, Goodwood (twice) and a parade before the start of the 24 2019 Hours of Nürburgring. This is undoubtedly one of the reasons why electric vehicles do not has not yet convinced the majority of aficionados, who have had to make do with videos and photos on the Internet. Let's hope that Volkswagen Motorsport's future projects preserve the “priority to electric performance” side while joining a discipline close to the public.